 Movie
Reviews
with Andy Gough
Bad Eggs (M)
Directed by Tony Martin
Australian films just keep getting better, and this offering from Tony Martin and his fellow conspirators in comedy, while a low budget effort which received no government finance (perhaps due to its content), delivers a decent bellyfull of laughs.
Being an expatriate Victorian, I had a huge giggle over the Kennett-esque Premier character, admirably portrayed by Shaun Micallef, complete with boofy hair and smarm aplenty, as well as enjoying the extensive use of locations in and around St Kilda and Elwood in Melbourne, my old stomping grounds.
My nostalgia aside, Bad Eggs is a romp, with enough plot and intrigue to keep you guessing, if not laughing heartily.
Mick Molloy stars as Ben Kinnear and along with his slow-witted partner, Mike Paddock (Bob Franklin), the pair are undercover detectives with the Victoria Police Force's elite 'Zero Tolerance Unit'. A freak accident involving a dead magistrate lands them on the front page of the local tabloid newspaper, and Ben and Mike are demoted to uniformed duties, suffering the accompanying humiliation.
Ben bumbles onto a link between the accident and the sordid dealings of a shonky casino boss the pair had been investigating, so the duo become unlikely heroes on the trail of unravelling corruption rife among their own colleagues. (So there's plenty to amuse people who grew up in NSW too!)
There are lots of nice cameo appearances by Aussie personalities, like good ol' voice over man Pete Smith, as well as stalwarts such as Bill Hunter and Robyn Nevin who keep things believeable (well almost).
Filmed in only seven weeks and with very little to spend on special effects – notice that no cars actually collide during the chase scenes – I think this is an excellent effort from the usual suspects.
It has more edge and pace than Molloy's last film, Crackerjack, which I also thoroughly enjoyed, as well as a great soundtrack – and cameo – from muso Dave Graney (where does he find those suits?).
At a time when Hollywood is offering yet more flag waving patriotism, it's refreshing to know that the Aussies still know how to tell the best yarns.
Rating: 
Ev will review T3 next week.
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